Speeches

Training

Musings on the Independence Day

Pakistan is all set to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of its independence on
this 14th of August, 2009. While this is time to celebrate the establishment of
a free and independent country with the traditional fervour and extend gratitude
to Allah Almighty for His greatest favour in the form of this country, it is also
high time we as a nation introspected ourselves with a reformatory mindset. The
comparison of our collective national conduct with the ideals, which characterized
the freedom struggle, is helpful in identifying the grey areas and resetting our
direction.

It is good to see our country back on democratic path after a long period of
dictatorship, a fact which was out of sync with what the founding fathers of this
country envisaged. The establishment of Pakistan was the direct outcome of a democratic
struggle under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is
unfortunate that Pakistan has been led by the military dictators for larger part
of its life. The Quaid-e-Azam, in his numerous statements and speeches, made it
clear that Pakistan would be a democratic polity based on Islamic principles of
social justice, equality and brotherhood. This was an open rebuke to liberal and
religious extremists who wanted to put their respective versions on the new state.
While the liberals thought Pakistan to be a democratic country based on the Westminster
tradition without having anything to do with religion, the extremists wanted to
impose a theocratic and conservative interpretation of religion where the Mullahs
would have divine right to rule.

Both of these extreme positions were in clash with the Quaid’s vision of Pakistan.
He could not have imagined Pakistan to be a Western-style democracy because doing
so could have rendered Islam irrelevant to the demands of the contemporary age.
At the same time, the Quaid did not want the newly established country to have a
theocratic order because it could have negated Jinnah’s ideals with graver implications
for multi-ethnic and multi-cultural society that Pakistan was.

While the return of democracy is something to feel good about, this represents
the beginning of a long drawn-out journey. Being the citizens of this country, we
are duty-bound to protect democracy and work for reform in the system. The long-term
solution of all problems, this country is faced with, lies in having democratic
structures and processes. It is through empowerment of common man and his inclusion
in the decision-making that would strengthen our federation and make democratic
institutions stronger and sustainable. As long as masses remain indifferent or do
not have any stake in the democracy as agent of change, we would continue to remain
condemned to musical chairs between so-called democrats and military dictators.

If we go by the history of this nation, the fact comes home that much of our
troubles owe themselves to the lack of state institutions. The political system
has been so structured that powers were concentrated in the ruling elite, both military
and civilian included, which did not allow devolution of powers and its distribution
among the institutions. This also explains the strains our federation is suffering
from with full-blown active insurgency raging in the restive province of Balochistan.
Had we acted upon the Constitution and allowed provincial autonomy to the provinces
with the Centre retaining only a few subjects, we would not have seen this day.
Judiciary sold its independence to the executive in 1954 and has been playing subservient
role until 2007 when a lawyers-led movement was able to get the independent judiciary
restored.

In the same manner, the role of parliament is not praiseworthy either. Over the
decades, it has held itself hostage to the powerful executive ready to do the bidding
of the rulers. The passage of the 15th amendment bill also known as Shariat Bill
by the National Assembly within minutes without following the set procedure during
the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif says it all. It is a different matter
that the bill could not be presented in the Senate for want of required number of
votes. Similarly, the last parliament had the gall to elect President Musharraf
while he was still donning uniform by contravening all legal, political and moral
values. It is pathetic that we have not been to develop a single institution which
is credible and enjoys public support. Our long-term survival lies in building up
institutions, which cater to the public demands and aspirations in a proactive manner.

Pakistan faces the phenomenon of extremism and terrorism in its worst form. This
is not merely a simple law and order problem warranting administrative response
as some people would have us believe. Extremists and terrorists are targeting state
and its symbols and want to replace them with their version of a state. They seek
to replace the inclusive Ideology of Pakistan with exclusivist version of puritanical
Islam with no space for any competing ideology and viewpoint. This is a clear case
of ‘battle for hearts and minds’. We can only win this war if we make conscious
efforts to change mindsets of people coupled with establishment of good governance.
Pakistan was created as a welfare state in accordance with the golden principles
of Islam for giving better life to all and sundry without any discrimination.

I am of the considered view that our resort to the Ideology of Pakistan as enunciated
by the Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal, which can provide sovereign remedy
to the scourge of terrorism and extremism. This year’s Independence Day should be
celebrated with the determination to implement the ideals of the Quaid-e-Azam in
letter and spirit.